National Confederation of Cooperatives

The National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) is the largest cooperative federation in the Philippines^[1] with 760 member cooperatives and Non-governmental Organizations NGO in 77 Provinces and 130 Cities and Municipalities as of June 2015.^[2][3]

The National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) was organized by credit union pioneers in the Philippines who believed that the task of co-op development lies primarily in the hands of the private sector. As early as the 1950s to 70s, co-op sector leaders were aware that in order to succeed they could not rely on government alone. Instead, co-ops have to be driven and patronized by their members and it is only through co-op education that this level of member patronage and responsibility can be established.^[4]

In the 1950s to 70s, a large number of primary co-operatives formed five regional co-op training centers (secondary cooperatives). In 1977, the five regional training centers formed NATCCO, then known as the National Association of Training Centers for Co-operatives, to coordinate the training and educational services for cooperatives at the national level. NATCCO also served as the voice of co-ops in the country.

In response to the growing needs of primary co-op affiliates, in 1986 NATCCO was transformed into a multi-service national co-op federation while the regional training centers were transformed into multi-service co-op development centers. The acronym NATCCO was retained and its meaning converted to the present, National Confederation of Cooperatives.^[4]

• "National Confederation of Cooperatives | Philippine Commission on Women". pcw.gov.ph. Retrieved 2014-06-01.